Monday Headlines (May 1)

Giants HC Ben McAdoo confirms RB Paul Perkins is the team’s starter

Giants Ben McAdoo said, surprisingly, that Paul Perkins is the starting running back. That is not a surprise, but McAdoo saying it is a surprise.

Fantasy Impact:

Perkins averaged 15.4 touches for 67 total yards over the final five games of the year, and with Rashad Jennings out of the way, Perkins will have the chance to be the starter heading into 2017. (4 for 4)

Lions GM confirms Ameer Abdullah is the team’s starter

The Detroit Lions didn’t select a running back this weekend in the annual NFL draft, and after it was over, general manager Bob Quinn said third-year pro Ameer Abdullah will be the team’s starting running back this fall.

Abdullah missed all but one-and-a-half games in 2016 with a foot injury that required surgery. He won the starting job last season and gained 101 yards on 18 carries before hurting his foot against Tennessee.

“He is,” Quinn said, when asked directly if Abdullah was his starter.

Abdullah was fully cleared to return this past winter and believes he still has the capability to be a premier running back in the league, something he said at the end of the season. Quinn called Abdullah’s injury “a fluke thing,” and said he thinks Theo Riddick will be ready to go as well.

“I feel pretty good about the position,” Quinn said. “There were a couple running backs we looked at in the middle part of the draft but just no one we felt was going to come in and really unseat any of the guys that we have on our roster.

“So we feel good about that spot.”

Fantasy Impact:

Both Abdullah and Riddick are going in the 7th round of early MFL10 drafts, and they both represent good values at that point in the draft. Riddick’s per game average of 16.2 fantasy points (PPR) was the 8th-highest at his position. Riddick may not see as many carries with Abdullah back, but he should continue to play a big role in the passing game. In the one game that Abdullah played, Riddick turned 12 touches into 108 yards and two touchdowns, so he’ll be involved even with Abdullah back in the lead role. (4 for 4)

Bills fire GM Doug Whaley

The Bills have fired general manager Doug Whaley.

Fantasy Impact:

New head coach Sean McDermott is calling the shots for now. (4 for 4)

Lions to play LB Jarrad Davis in middle

The Lions plan to play 1st-round LB Jarrad Davis in the middle “we hope for many years to come,” GM Bob Quinn told the Detroit Free Press. But Davis will have to compete with others in the corps before settling into his spot. “He’s a guy that we feel that can play mike (middle) and will (weak-side) so we’re going to put him in the mix with all the guys we have on the roster and just kind of figure out what’s the best way to use him,” Quinn said. “But he definitely has position flexibility.” Davis should quickly emerge as the top player in the group, however, and lock down a starting job either on the middle or the weak side. Meanwhile, Tahir Whitehead is no lock to remain in the lineup after a breakthrough fantasy season in 2016, which particularly found him struggling in coverage. Free-agent addition Paul Worrilow will also compete, along with 4th-round rookie Jalen Reeves-Maybin. Quinn said the team likes Reeves-Maybin on the weak side. The whole competition will be interesting to watch for IDP owners. (Draft Sharks)

Jaguars pick up QB Blake Bortles’ option

The Jaguars have exercised their 5th-year option on QB Blake Bortles. That would pay Bortles about $18 million in 2018. Note, though, that the option doesn’t become guaranteed until the 1st day of the 2018 league year. So the 2017 campaign remains make-or-break for Bortles in Jacksonville. The team helped him last week by adding RB Leonard Fournette, OT Cam Robinson and WR Dede Westbrook. (Draft Sharks)

Packers release RB Christine Michael

The Packers have released RB Christine Michael. The writing was on the wall when Green Bay drafted 3 RBs over the weekend. Michael is still only 26 but has proven to be a fantasy football tease over the past 5 seasons. The Packers also released RB Don Jackson, leaving them with Ty Montgomery and rookies Jamaal Williams, Aaron Jones and Devante Mays. (Draft Sharks)

Curtis Samuel will play mostly WR

The Panthers plan on using 2nd-round rookie Curtis Samuel primarily as a slot receiver. “That’s why they’re bringing me in there. They feel like I can help the team a lot,” Samuel said. “They told me we’re going to do some [RB] too, but they got a great draft pick in Christian McCaffrey, who is a terrific player. I definitely like the way he plays. I’ll be primarily in the slot, but sometimes we’ll both be in the backfield with Cam (Newton). I feel like it’s going to be great.” Samuel racked up 865 receiving yards, 771 rushing yards and 15 total TDs at Ohio State last year. He boasts 4.3 speed and doesn’t turn 21 until August. Although he seems a bit redundant to McCaffrey, there’s room for both guys to make plays on the ground and in the air. Samuel is worth considering at the end of the 1st round of dynasty rookie drafts and as a late-round flier in redraft leagues. (Draft Sharks)

Eagles add another RB

The Eagles signed undrafted free agent RB Corey Clement on Saturday night. The former Wisconsin back closed out his college career with a 314-1,375-15 rushing line, but the 4.4 yards per rush marked the lowest rate of his career. Clement struggled to stay healthy curing his Badgers career and then delivered poor testing numbers at the Combine. The landing spot makes him interesting, though, as the Eagles boast 3 small RBs — Darren Sproles, Wendell Smallwood and Donnel Pumphrey — an oft-injured veteran who might be a cap casualty this offseason (Ryan Mathews), Byron Marshall and Terrell Watson. There’s room for Clement to carve out a role with a strong summer. (Draft Sharks)

QB Teddy Bridgewater’s option will be declined

Minnesota Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater’s fifth-year option will not be picked up, according to a source. Bridgewater is expected to begin the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list and will be reevaluated in October. (Fantasy Guru)

RB Samaje Perine will challenge Rob Kelley

Washington Redskins rookie RB Samaje Perine is expected to challenge fellow RB Rob Kelley for early-down work, according to ESPN.com’s John Keim. Head coach Jay Gruden lauded Perine for his toughness and physical abilities. ‘We know how strong he is,’ Gruden said. ‘Just a total package is really what we liked.’ (Fantasy Guru)

DE Jaye Howard visiting Bears

Free-agent DE Jaye Howard (Chiefs) is visiting the Chicago Bears Monday, May 1, according to a source. (Fantasy Guru)

CB Troy Hill suspended

Los Angeles Rams CB Troy Hill has been suspended for the first two games of the 2017 season for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. (Fantasy Guru)

LB Anthony Barr’s option exercised

Minnesota Vikings LB Anthony Barr’s fifth-year option was picked up Monday, May 1, according to a source.

CB Jason Verrett’s option exercised

Minnesota Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater’s fifth-year option will not be picked up, according to a source. Bridgewater is expected to begin the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list and will be reevaluated in October.

LB Dee Ford’s option picked up

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